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Park Lockers

Disney provides locker rentals at each of the major parks in Walt Disney World. These are for storing personal items for a single day trip. The lockers will get clean out every night.

At the theme parks the lockers are controlled by a key, and you can open and close it anytime you want all day. At the water parks, the lockers are controlled by a keyless entry. (This way you don't have to worry about losing the key in the pool)

To use the lockers, a $5 refundable deposit is required for the locker key. (When you return the key, you could always use the $5 to get some popcorn for the ride home.)

Credit Cards and Debit cards are accepted for these lockers.

Locker Size Details

Small

11" x 9" x 16"

$8/day

Large

17.5" x 12" x 16"

$10/day

Bonus Lockers

There is a single-use locker at Epcot, which measures 23" x 16" x 29". The locker cost $1 per use. This is perfect if you plan on staying late at Epcot and want to bring evening clothes for a nice dinner.

The Barnstormer

One of the exciting rides of New Fantasyland is Barnstormer - located near the Fantasyland train station in Storybook circus. Barnstormer isn't new to Disneyworld as the ride been there since October 1, 1996. The ride has gone through different names over the year. The ride closed in February 2011, and then reopened in March 2012 with a new look and featuring the Great Goofini theme.

The Barnstormer is a junior roller coaster type of ride. Riders must be 2/ 11" (121 CM) tall to ride.

History of the roller coaster ride at this location:

June 18, 1988 - October 1,1996

Grandma Duck's Petting Farm as part of Mickey's Birthdayland

October 1, 1996 - February 1, 2011

Barnstormer at Wiseacre Farm

March 12, 2012 - Present Day

Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini in the Storybook Circus section of New Fantasyland

Some Interesting Trivia about the Barnstormer

This is one of the parks shortest height requirements any roller coaster type of ride. This means for many young kids, this is their first real roller coaster ride and they can experience this ride whenever they return to the Magic Kingdom.

Barnstormer is a FastPass+ ride. I highly recommend to get a fast pass in advance.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a magical beauty salon where little girls and boys can get princess and knight makeovers. There are two locations to choose from in
Disneyworld; Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs.

Children, from 3 to 12, get transform to be their favorite princess and knight from Disney's own Fairy Godmothers-in-Training. It's certainly one way to make a Disney Vacation very magical.

Magic Kingdom

The salon is located inside Cinderella Castle. You enter the magical beauty salon via Fantasyland. The entrance door is located directly across Cinderella's Royal Table entrance.

The Magic Kingdom salon is very popular and reservations should be made at least 90 days before arrival.

Disney Springs

The salon at Disney Springs is located in "Once Upon a Story." This is something different to do if you're looking for something to do on an off day at the park. The "Once Upon a Story" is located in the center of Disney Springs - look for the large Mr. Potato head.

If your unable to get a reservation at the Magic Kingdom's Bibbidi Bobbed Boutique try Disney Springs.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Packages

The Crown Package (starting at $59.95 plus tax)

Hairstyling

Shimmering make-up, face gem

Princess sash and cinch bag

Nail polish

The Courtyard Package (starting at $99.95 plus tax)

Everything in the Crown Package and...

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique T-shirt

Trendy tutu

The Castle Package (starting at $199.95 plus tax)

Everything in the Crown Package and...

Disney Princess gown of your choice (shoes not included)

Wand

Crown

Things we Learned at the Magic Kingdom Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Our daughter was sick during one of our trips, and they were very accommodating to change the day of our Bibbidi Bobbed Boutique.

Some people advised bringing our own dress before going to the park, as its cheaper. Instead, we opt to have our daughter pick the outfit she wanted to wear. We found it adds a bit of mystery to the experience.

The salon at the Magic Kingdom is smaller than Disney Springs.

When you arrive at your reservation time, there might be an additional 10 to 15-minute wait. The waiting area is very small and there is limited seating.

You will have plenty of opportunities to take photos and videos during the makeover.

Our Fairy Godmothers-in-Training engaged in conversation with our daughter to make her smile while she was getting a makeover.

During the transformation process, the Princess/Knight doesn't get to see their transformation until the end. This makes for a great video/photo opportunity.

After the makeover is completed, you go across the street to get your pictures done.

If you select the Imaging Package you will have to return back later in the day to pick up your photos.

When you return to pick up the "Imaging Package" photos you may encounter a long wait. (Ours was at least 25 mins) This is because each customer will view all the photos that were taken during the photo shoot to find the perfect one to print.

We planned our Magic Kingdom day around the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. After the makeover, we scheduled a Fastpass to see Anna and Elisa and other Disney princesses. This was certainly a good photo opportunity.

You can always go back to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to get some magical sprinkles. This is great idea when you're waiting in line for the Cinderella's Royal Table.

Dole Whip

At Aloha Isle in Adventureland is the place to get a special treat on a hot day in the Magic Kingdom:

Dole out a smile with the much sought-after soft-serve delight known as the Dole Whip(R)--a popular frozen treat blended in pineapple, vanilla or swirled flavors. Frosty floats, fresh pineapple spears, and soft drinks are also available.

Sunshine Tree Terrace is another place in Adventureland that carries the full Dole Whip line.

You can also get a Dole Whip at Captain Cook's in the Polynesian Resort and for a limited time, during Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival, you can find Dole Whips (including a spiced rum version) along the World Showcase promenade!

At Animal Kingdom you can find "Pineapple Whips" Tamu Tamu in Africa. These are very much like the Dole Whips, even the same signature swirl.

Pools at the Art of Animation

When Disney's Art of Animation resort opened in May of 2012, it became the 26th Disney resort at Walt Disney World. The resort features 1120 family suites themed around such Disney animated classics as Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Lion King. The Little Mermaid building houses an additional 864 standard guest rooms.

Pools at the Art of Animation

You will need a magic band with Art of Animation hotel privileges to access any of the pools on the property. Visitors to Disney's All Star Resorts (All Star Sports, All Star Music and All Star Movies) are able to enjoy the pools at any of the other All-Stars.

There are three pools at the Art of Animation in Walt Disney World:

"Big Blue" pool - The main Art of Animation Pool, located in the center of the property. (310,000 gallons)

Mint Julep

This is very addictive and a great summer drink, when ready to serve, use crushed ice for a refreshing summer cooler. Disney hasn't provided the actual recipe, but this is a very good duplicate of what you get at the Mint Julep Bar in Disneyland:

1 cup Sugar

2 tsp Lime Juice Concentrate

3 cups Soda Water

6 tpsp Creme De Menthe

6 oz. thawed Lemonade Concentrate

Dissolve sugar into soda water. Add lime juice and lemonade and bring to boil. Remove from heat and add Creme De Menthe. Chill.

Geographic Center of the Magic Kingdom

The Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom has changed a lot since it opened on October 1, 1971. Just about every land had major changes. Liberty Square is the only land which didn't have any major changes.

According to the latest calculations, the current geographic center of the Magic Kingdom is right here:

The Geographic Center of the Magic Kingdome is directly opposite of the ?Tips and Show Times? information center as you leave Main Street USA and walk towards the castle.

This is based on the actual park area, and does not include any administrative areas the are just outside the park that the public doesn?t have access to.

In Disneyland, there use to be a marker to indicate where the Geographical Center of Disneyland was when the park first opened. The marker was just inside the Fantasyland entrance of Snow White's castle. There is no such marker in Walt Disney World.

What do you think? Do you agree with my findings? Should Disney have some "Hidden Mickey" type of marker to indicate the Geographic Center of the kingdom?

Liberty Square

When your walking around Liberty Square Disney Imagineers wanted you to feel that you're stepping around colonial America.

Note: There were no public bathrooms in Colonial America, so you won't find any in Liberty Square. The nearest bathrooms would be on the other side of the Memento Mori, between the Haunted Mansion at It's a Small World.

Building Numbers

The house numbers of each building in Liberty Square represent the year in which the style of architecture of that particular building was popular. If you see a house number with only two digits, simply add an 18 in front of the house number for that year architecture style.

Check out the shutters on the houses, they look a little off? That's intentional! In colonial America, the Minuteman would use the metal in nails for their guns. They use leather to hold the shutters and over time the leather would stretch causing the shutters to slant a little.

The Tree of Liberty

The Liberty Tree in Liberty Square is based on the famous Boston's Liberty Tree. This is where the "Son's of Liberty" would hang their hung lanterns on an evening during festival occasions. (They also hung lights on the Great Elm on the Boston Commons.)

There are 13 lights on the "Tree of Liberty" to represent the original 13 colonies.

The Liberty tree was originally located on the outer perimeter of the Walt Disney World property. It was moved by digging it out and then drilling horizontal holes through it so steel rods could be inserted and attached to a crane.

The tree that moved was a 35-ton 135-year-old oak tree. Today the tree is 180 years old. The tree was planted in sometime in 1836. This was right around the time of the first Seminole War.

Flags

You can find all the flags from the original 13 colonies next to the tree.

Disney has removed the Georgia flag from its "Liberty Flag Plaza" (Where they display the flags from the 13 original colonies) and have replaced it with the "Don't Tread on Me" Colonial Flag. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that the Georgia flag contains the Confederate Battle Flag.

Sign at the site reads:

Thirteen proud and colorful flags fly high today to honor the original states which became our country first constitution. A replica of the first national flag used in 1787 symbolizes the joining of the states to form our first union.

Liberty Bell

Right in the middle of Liberty Square is a replica of The Liberty Bell. If you reach into the bell and swing the clapper, the bell rings very LOUD!

Some Liberty Square sites claim that the Disney's Liberty Bell is from 1976 when every state got a replica copy, and Disney got Pennsylvania. However, if you read the inscription at the site, you'll discover that the bell didn't appear in Liberty Square until 1989.

Piece of History

Around the corner to the left of the front entrance to the Hall of Presidents, is a small worn marble step. That step is actually from Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's house). There was a plaque identifying the piece at the upper right, but now only its frame remains. The identifying information has been removed.

Hollywood and Dine

Hollywood and Dine is a character breakfast/lunch buffet restaurant in Disney Hollywood Studios. You'll encounter some popular Disney Junior's characters.

Characters that appear here:

Sofia the First from the "Sofia the First Show"

Handy Manny from the "Handy Manny Show"

Doc McStuffins from the "Doc McStuffins"

Jake from the "Jake and the Never land Pirates"

Character appearances and entertainment are subject to change.

Some tips about this location

As you walk in there is a backdrop for the Hollywood and Dine. Take pictures as soon as you get in! You will have an opportunity to get it as you leave, but who knows what mess might appear on your children clothes.

This is one of the few restaurants at Disney Studios that opens before the park opens. Take advantage of this opportunity and make an early reservation, by the time your done eating the park will be open. Plus you get to walk down Hollywood Blvd by yourself!

Breakfast Starts at 8am, Lunch starts at 11, and Dinner starts at 4:15.

Reservations are highly recommended.

The characters will do different dance and song routines from their show. The music selection rotates between the different shows.

The restaurant seating is smaller than the one at Crystal Palace. You may get the opportunity to see your character more than once.

If your not at your table when the character comes by they will go back to your table.

Many of the seating are Cafe booth style.

The food is pretty good, there's nothing specific that stands out as a good food staple. The last two times eating here I enjoyed the scrambled eggs.

The buffet has two sections, both sided serve the same food.

The bathroom is also shared by the 50s Cafe and were very clean.

At Dinner time, the restaurant is transformed to Mickey and Friends for a VIP seating for the Fantasmic VIP Dining. You'll see Mickey, Minnie, Minnie, Goofy and Donald.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

If you're looking for some good ice cream at an old time type of soda shop, check out the "Beaches & Cream Soda Shop" at the Disney Beach Club. Anyone can visit this restaurant, it's a bit out of the way for those that are not staying at the Beach Club resort, but worth the visit if you're into a real ice cream treat.

This place may be known for their ice cream, but don't skip their regular menu, they have a selection to please any appetite. Lots of great comfort foods.

When we ate here back on November 5th, 2015. I had the Ruben Sandwich. I remember it being really good. I ate the whole sandwich and most of the french fries. Probably wasn't the best Ruben Sandwich I had, but certainly in the top 5, and something that I would order again.

I added a twist to my sandwich and got a Sprite with a Raspberry Syrup. If you feel the need to order a fountain drink what syrups they have available that would make your drink different.

Watch out when you order the Kitchen Sink Sundae before it gets place on your table, the lights turn off and everyone will be drawn attention to the order coming to your table.

You can actually order the Kitchen Sink Sundae unassembled, rather than it all mix in one bowl! This way people at the table can make their own Sundae and avoid some of the things that they may not like. (Think Gluten Free!)

If your not into the big treat and want to try the Souvenir Mickey's Kitchen Sink at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street USA.